Drop door



April 2, 1935.

c. o. BULLARD 1,996,455

DROP DOOR Filed Jan. 2, 1930 Patented Apr. 2, 1935 UNITED STATES DROP DOOR Clyde 0. Bullard, North Riverside, Ill., assignor to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New Jersey Application January 2, 1930, Serial No. 417,992 33 Claims. .'(Cl. 105-280) This invention pertains to drop doors and more particularly to cast bottom drop doors for railroad cars and the like.

An object of this invention is to provide a drop door for a railroad car which, while pre- 7 car.

senting a smooth unobstructed load carrying surface, is yet reenforced to adequately strengthen and stiifen the door to prevent failure or warping in service.

Another object is to provide a cast drop bottom door of integral reenforced construction and one in which the reenforcements are disposed most advantageously whereby strength is maintained without sacrice of additional weight.

With these and various other objects in View, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto. i

In the drawing, which illustrates anembodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate likeparts- Fig, l is a top plan view of the cast bottom drop door embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation take substantially in the plane as indicated by the line2-2ofFig-1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the door shown in Fig. 1, the same being on a slightly reduced scale.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation showing the integral hinge butt, the same being taken substantially in the plane as indicated by the line @-4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional ele vation through the reenforcements adjacentthe free edge of the door, the same being taken substantially in the plane as indicated by the line 5-5 of Fig. 1..

In some types of railroad car, in which the load is to be discharged through doors, such doors or a number of them are adapted to form a portion of the load carrying surface ofthe It is necessary that these doors be strong enough to carry the load without breaking or distorting excessively, and it is necessary that these doors be easily replaceable. To these ends the load carrying surfacemust be smooth, offering no obstructions, the door must be reenforced, and it is desirable that said door be a casting.

The casting shown is formed with a smooth upper load carrying surface I0, and may be curved at the rear or hinge edge as shown at I2, this edge I4 terminating upwardly. The edge I4 is interrupted or notched as at IB to accommodate the hinge butts I8 which extend to the rear of the load surface I!) and below'the edge I4. The side edges and the front edge of the door are provided with depending flanges 20 and 22, the from, flange being intersectedby diagonal ribs,.flanges, or reenforcing members 2e and 2S extending from the hinge butts. The ribs at the center hinge butt are joined adjacent said butt by the rear flange 28 and the ribs are so formed that they follow the curve of the load surface as shown at 30 and then extend downwardly and forwardly as at32 to a portion 3i of constant depth. The portion 34 merges into a deeper portion 36. The portion 36 is formed with flanges, reenforcing or stiffening members 38, flanges 38 of pairs of rbsZIi and 26 facing each other, there being reenforcing brackets, ribs or gussets 40 formed on the outer sides of the portions 36. The portions 36 extend outwardly and upwardly into bracket portions 42, formed at the end of pairs of ribs 24 and 2S and in the plane of theload surface I0, said brackets 42, being for the purpose of securing operating mechanism such as chains for raising and lowering the door. l

With the construction shown it will be. seen that a very strong and serviceable door is formed and it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of the de-` vice shown, which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as various and other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim: l

l. In a dump door the combination ofV a load carrying portion, said portion having pairs of depending reenforcing ribs extending between apposite edges of said door, each of said ribs having reenforcing rib members integral therewith and with said load portionV and angularly dise posed with respect to said reenforcingribs.

2. In a dump door the combination of a load carrying portion, a bracket portion disposed in the plane of said load carrying portion for kreceiving operating mechanism, said bracket por-.- tic-n extending beyond one edge of `said door'.

3. In a dump door the combination ofa load carrying portion, ksaid portion being formed with pairs of depending reenforcing ribs, said ribs extending beyond an edge of said portion and having facing reenforcing rib members integral therewith substantially parallel to the load carrying portion.

4. In a dump door the combination of a load carrying portion, a bracket portionV disposed in the plane of said load carrying portion for receiving operating mechanism, said bracket porcarrying portion, a bracket portion disposed in the plane of said load carrying portion for receiving operating mechanism, saidpbracketportion extending beyond one edge of said door, said load carrying portion being formed with pairs of depending reenforcing ribs, said ribs having facing reenforcing rib members integral therewith, and substantially parallel to the load carrying portion.

6. In a dump door the combinationA of a load carrying portion, hinge butts formed adjacent one edge thereof, depending flanges formed on the other of the edges of said door, said load carrying portion being formed with pairs of' depending reenforcing ribs extending between opposite edges of said door, each of said ribs having reenffo'rcing rib members integral therewith.

7. In afdump door the combination of a load carrying portion,- hinge butts formed adjacent one edge thereof, depending Vfianges formed on the other of the edges of said load carrying portion',a`nd a bracket portion disposed in the piane of said load carrying portion for receiving operating mechanism, said bracket portion extending beyond one edge of said door.

8. In a dump door the combination of a load carrying portion, hinge butts formed adjacent one edge thereof, depending fianges formed on the other of the edges of said load carrying portion,a bracket portion disposed in the plane of said load carrying portion for receiving operating mechanism, said bracket portion extending beyond one edge of said door, and dependingA reenf'orcing members formed on said door and extending from one of said hingebutts tovsaid bracket portion. 9; In a dump door the combination ofy a load carryingportion, said portion being notched on one edge to form recesses. therein, and hinge butts formed on said door in said recesses.

10. In a dump door the combination of a load carrying portion, said portion being notched on one edge to Vform recesses therein, and hinge butts Vformed on said door insaid recesses, said butts 'being `out of the plane` of .the load surface.

11. In a dump door the combination of a load carrying portion, said portion being notched on one edge to form recesses therein, and hinge 'buttsformed on said door in said recesses, said edge extending beyond saidbutts.

12. `In adump door the.. combination of a load carrying portion, hinge .butts formed adjacent one edge thereof, depending flanges formedv on the other of the. edges of said load carrying portion, and reenforcing members extending from said hinge, butts to another edge andintersectling the flange formed thereon, said reenforcing members being deeper adjacentv the intersection than the door iiange.

, 13. InA a dump door, the combination of a load carrying portion, hinge butts provided adjacent one edge thereof, apair of diverging reenforcing ribs provided onA said load carrying portion and eachrib extending from one of said hinge butts substantially uninterruptediyto the opposite edge of said load carrying portion, and a member connecting saidA ribs adjacent said butt.

14. In a dumpl door, the combination of a load carrying portion, hinge butts provided adjacent one edge thereof, a pair of adjacentreenforcing ribs ,provided on said load carrying portion, reenforcing anges provided on said reenforcing ribs, and gussets vconnecting said' reenforcing ribs and. said load carryingportion.

15. Ina dump door, the combination of a load Localit carrying portion, hinge butts provided adjacent one edge thereof, operating mechanism members disposed on the opposite edge of said load carrying portion from said hinge butts and spaced between said butts, pairs of reenforcing ribs provided on said load carrying portion and extending to said members.

' 1'6; In a dump door, the combination of a load carrying portion, hinge butts provided adjacent one edge thereof, operating mechanism members disposed on the opposite edge of said load carrying portion from said hinge butts and spaced between said butts, pairs of reenforcing ribs provided on said load carrying portion and extending to said members, and gussets disposed adjacent said' members and connecting said ribs to said loadcarrying portion.

17. In a dump door, the combination of a load carrying portion, hinge butts provided .adjacent one edge thereof, operating mechanism members disposed on the opposite edge of said load carrying portion from said hinge butts and spaced between said butts, pairsy of renforcing ribs provided on said load carrying portion and extending to said members, said ribs being provided with anged portions adjacent said members.

18. In a dump door, the combination of av load carrying portion, hinge butts provided adjacent one edge thereof, operating mechanism members disposed on the opposite edge of said load carrying portion from said hinge butts and spaced between said butts, pairs of reenforcing ribs provided on saidload carrying portion and extending to said members, said ribs being. provi-ded with flanged portions adjacent said members, iia'nges of .adjacent members extending toward each other.

19.. In a dump door, the combination of a load carrying portion, hinge butts provided adjacent one edge thereof, operating mechanism members disposed. on the opposite edge-of said load carrying portion from said hinge butts `and spaced between said butts, pairs of reenforcing ribs provided on said load carrying portion and Vextending to said memberssaid ribs being A*provided with iianged portions adjacent said members, and gussets disposed adjacent said members and connecting saidribs to said load carrying portion.

20.; In a dump door, the combination "of a load carrying portion, hinge butts provided 'adjacent one edge thereof, operating mechanism members disposed on the opposite edge of said load carrying portion from said hingebutts and spaced between said butts, pairs of reenforcing ribs provided on said load carrying portion and'extending to said members', said ribsbeing provided with flangedportions adjac'entsaid members, flanges of adjacent members extending toward each other, and` gussetsdisposed adjacent said members and'connecting saidribs tosaid loadv carrying portion'. Y

2 1. In a dump door, the combination of a load carrying portion-, hinge butts provided adjacent one edge thereof, operating mechanism members disposed on the opposite edge of said load carrying portion from said hinge butts andspaced between said; butts, pairsof reenforcing Vribs'provided on said load carrying portion and extending to said members,. and gussets disposed adjacent said members and connecting said ribs to; said load carrying portion, saidioadcarrying portion being provided with a marginal flange intersecting Safbsi 2.2, 1n adump door, the ,ombinaiign Q f a load carrying portion, hinge butts provided adjacent one edge thereof, operating mechanism members disposed on the opposite edge of said load carrying portion from said hinge butts and spaced between said butts, pairs of reenforcing ribs provided on said load carrying portion and extending to said members, saidribs being provided with flanged portions adjacent said members, said load carrying portion being provided with a marginal flange intersecting said ribs.

23. In a dump door, the combination of a load carrying portion, hinge butts provided adjacent one edge thereof, operating mechanism members disposed on the opposite edge of said load carrying portion from said hinge butts and spaced between said butts, pairs of reenforcing ribs provided on said load carrying portion and extending to said members, said ribs being provided with flanged portions adjacent said members, flanges of adjacent members extending toward each other, said load carrying portion being provided with a marginal flange intersecting said ribs.

24. In a dump door, the combination of a load carrying portion, hinge butts provided adjacent one edge thereof, operating mechanism members disposed on the opposite edge of said load carrying portion from said hinge butts and spaced between said butts, pairs of reenforcing ribs provided on said load carrying portion and extending to said members, said ribs being provided with flanged portions adjacent said members, and gussets disposed adjacent said members and connecting said ribs to said load carrying portion, said load carrying portion being provided with a marginal flange intersecting said ribs.

25; In a dump door, the combination of a load carrying portion, hinge butts provided adjacent one edge thereof, operating mechanism members disposed on the opposite edge of said load carrying portion from said hinge butts and spaced between said butts, pairs of reenforcing ribs provided on said load carrying portion and extending to said members, said ribs being provided with flanged portions adjacent said members, flanges of adjacent members extending toward each other, and gussets disposed adjacent said members and connecting said ribs to said load carrying portion, said load carrying portion being provided with a marginal flange intersecting said ribs.

26. In a dump door, the combination of a load carrying member having a hinge butt adjacent one edge thereof disposed to one side 0I" said load carrying member, said load carrying member having a flange adjacent another edge thereof, and a supporting bracket for receiving operating mechanism disposed at the edge of said load carrying member opposite said first named edge and having the mechanism securing portion substantially in the plane of said load carrying member, said bracket having a portion thereof of greater depth than said flange adjacent thereto.

27. In a dump door, the combination of a load carrying member having an edge deflected from the plane of the load carrying member, said load carrying member having a flange adjacent another edge thereof, a hinge butt disposed along said deflected edge, and a supporting bracket for receiving operating mechanism disposed at the edge of said load carrying member opposite said rst named edge, and having mechanism securing means substantially in the plane of said load carrying member, said bracket having a i being .of a different depth adjacent said last named edge than at said butt.

i 29. In a dump door, the combination of a load carrying member having an edge deflected from the plane ofthe load carrying member, a hinge butt disposed along said deflected edge, said load carrying member being provided with a reenforcing member extending from said hinge butt to and beyond the opposite edge of said load carrying member, said reenforcing member being of a greater depth adjacent said last named edge than at said butt.

30. In a dump door, the combination of a load carrying member having a hinge butt adjacent one edge thereof, said load carrying member being provided with a reenforcing member extending from said hinge butt to and beyond the opposite edge of said load carrying member, said reenforcing member being of a different depth adjacent said last named edge than at said butt.

31. In a dump door, the combination of a load carrying member having a hinge butt adjacent one edge thereof, said load carrying member being provided with a reenforcing member extend-` ing from said hinge butt to and beyond the opposite edge of said load carrying member, said reenforcing member being of a greater depth adjacent said last named edge than at said butt.

32. In a cast dump door, the combination of a load carrying portion provided with a sub-v stantially uninterrupted load carrying surface, hinge butts formed on said load carrying portion adjacent one edge thereof, depending flanges form supporting brackets for said door, said reenforcing members being of greater depth than the proximate flange adjacent thereto.

l 33. In a cast dump door, the combination of a load carrying portion provided With a substantially uninterrupted load carrying surface, hinge butts formed on said load carrying portion adjacent one edge thereof, depending flanges formed on the other of the edges of said load carrying portion, and reenforcing members extending from said hinge butts to another edge and intersecting and extending beyond the ange formed thereon whereby the extended portions form supporting brackets for said door, said reenforcing members being of greater depth than the proximate ange adjacentthereto and being disposed on the opposite side of the load carry-` ing portion from said load carrying surface.

CLYDE O. BULLARD.

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